Major industrial development a sign of confidence in Canterbury

17 August 2012

Strong business interest in the latest release of industrial land at Rolleston is a sign of confidence in a recovering and growing Canterbury Economy.

Today (Friday 17 August), Izone industrial park officially opens its 50 hectare Stage 6 for development. The newly released land, when fully developed, will have a value of approximately $60 million. Some of the new area has already been purchased or under negotiation by businesses keen to establish there.

At 180 hectares in total, Izone is New Zealand’s largest industrial development. The business park is owned by Selwyn District Council and managed by Hughes Developments Limited. Its director Robin Hughes says the launch of Stage 6 is a major milestone for the park, for Selwyn District and Canterbury.

“We have heard so much since the earthquakes about businesses and investors hanging back, and the recovery of the Canterbury economy being slower than expected. Well here’s real evidence that there is confidence in our region’s future; that businesses are willing to invest when the place and the product is right. The strong interest in Stage 6 justifies the courage and faith that Selwyn District Council has displayed in the creation and on-going development of Izone.

“In fact, a number of businesses have already committed to establishing in Stage 6, taking up to 10 hectares, with a further two hectares under negotiation.”

Selwyn District Deputy Mayor Sarah Walters says the advancements at Izone fit well alongside council projects and programmes designed to make Selwyn a great place to live, work and play.

“The Selwyn District has a lot to offer businesses, and the growth of the Izone hub gives our residents new opportunities to work in the district in which they live,” she says.

Izone has proved popular to a wide range of businesses, large and small, in search of state-of-the-art infrastructure, pivotal location, flexible boundaries, and lower rates and land prices.

A strength of the industrial park has been its attractiveness to businesses involved in agriculture and warehousing / logistics.

“The majority of the businesses located at Izone are either directly involved in agri-business or service it,” Mr Hughes says. “It’s evidence of the power our region’s agricultural sector still has in the success of the local and national economy.

“For warehousing and logistics operations, Izone’s location next to both State Highway One and the intersection of the Southern and Midland rail lines is ideal. We are also within ready distance of the Port of Lyttelton and Christchurch International Airport.”

Earthquakes have boosted the already significant interest in the park, with several Izone businesses relocating to the park from damaged premises elsewhere in the broader Canterbury area. They’re attracted to Izone by recent geotechnical investigations that confirm the ground beneath Izone has low potential for liquefaction or lateral spreading. These favourable ground conditions allow for low-cost foundation design.

“Our other attraction is that in addition to selling land, Izone tailors design-and-build packages that meet business needs, including lease options,” Mr Hughes says.

More than 35 companies within the manufacturing, distribution and agricultural sectors, have already made Izone their home, a list that is growing quickly.

“Izone combines the skills and resources of both the public and private sectors. The result is a commercially driven project backed by the financial strength of a progressive and forward thinking local authority. Izone’s success is part of the reason Selwyn ranks consistently among the country’s fastest growing regions,” says Mr Hughes.

Izone Stage 6 will be officially launched at 2:30pm on Friday 17 August by Selwyn MP Amy Adams and the Deputy Mayor of Selwyn District Sarah Walters.